Charlie Kirk, Conservative Movement Leader and TPUSA Founder, Murdered
Campus leaders react to the shocking news
This is a developing story and will be updated periodically. If you want to be quoted on Kirk’s legacy, send an approximately five-sentence quote to madisonfederalist@gmail.com
College Republicans of UW-Madison:
“Charlie Kirk has dedicated his life to changing the culture and helping young conservatives make a difference on college campuses. His work has injected life into the conservative movement and made free thinkers on campus feel that they are not alone.
The College Republicans at the University of Wisconsin-Madison ask our fellow students to please join us in praying for Charlie and his family. Political violence is never acceptable in any form.”
College Democrats of UW-Madison:
“We are disgusted to hear about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no role in democracy, and it must be denounced in the strongest terms possible.”
Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy:
“Open debate should be an antidote to political violence, not its cause. May Charlie Kirk’s family be consoled in their loss, and may our universities continue to promote and defend the free and open exchange of ideas.”
Sami Schalk, Gender Studies Professor:
“Turning Point USA made a literal watch list of professors, primarily women, queer folks and people of color, and made us targets of political violence. I’ve received hate mail and harassment and death threats off and on for nearly a decade in part due to that man’s organization so 🤷🏽♀️”
Elise Edwardsen, Sophomore:
"It hurts me greatly to know that a man of such noble character has left us today so tragically. Charlie embodied the art of reasoned discourse, listening as carefully as he spoke, and challenging ideas with such talent. His presence elevated every conversation, and his absence leaves a void in the spaces where thoughtful dialogue once thrived. Let us honor him with love, not hate, and with the fierce, aching awareness of what it truly means to be human... something that should unite us, not divide us. We must pray without ceasing, for there is never EVER an excuse for violence."
Hanna Anderson Gravelle, Sophomore:
“Charlie Kirk was a young father who spoke out about being conservative and Christian on college campuses, where that is especially shamed. He was truly brave and showed us young conservatives how to stand up in such a polarized environment. My heart goes out to families affected by political violence on either side.”
Anonymous Graduate Student:
“Many believe Charlie Kirk was responsible for the ills of our time. In truth, he was not the cause, but the symptom of modern America’s sickness. Obama’s liberalism utterly failed America’s youth—sedating them with empty promises, draining their coffers, and stealing their future. When young Americans finally cried out for change, Charlie was among the first to answer. And so, the death of one man will not be the death of Charlie—for he will return, again and again, until the sickness is cured.”